Violence Erupts in Rome as Real Sociedad Fans Targeted by Lazio Ultras
Nine Real Sociedad football fans were injured, one seriously, in central Rome late on Wednesday night after a brutal attack allegedly carried out by hardcore Lazio supporters. According to reports from Italian media, the group of Spanish fans, numbering around 70, was violently ambushed by approximately 80 Lazio ultras equipped with weapons such as clubs, chains, knives, and hammers outside a pub on Via Leonina in the Monti district of Rome.
In response to the upcoming Europa League match scheduled for Thursday night at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, security measures in the city have been heightened. Among the injured, three individuals were hospitalized with stab wounds, one of whom, aged 23, is reported to be in serious condition. Three others received treatment and were subsequently discharged, while three more were examined in a hospital emergency unit before leaving.
Italian police have confiscated the weapons used in the attack and are analyzing CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators. A video circulating on social media reportedly captured the incident, showing a group dressed in black, presumed to be the Lazio ultras, rushing down a street while shouting threats.
La Repubblica, an Italian newspaper, highlighted that the attack occurred while the Real Sociedad fans were enjoying drinks at the Irish pub Finnegan. It remains unclear whether members of the Real Sociedad ultras, known for their passionate yet sometimes violent support, were part of the group targeted. Authorities are investigating whether the violence was premeditated by the Lazio ultras, who are known to hold extreme right-wing views, against their left-leaning rivals.
Walter Verini, a senator and coordinator of an anti-mafia parliamentary committee, expressed concerns about the persistent issues within certain segments of the fanbase. He acknowledged that while all fans are not criminals, this incident of armed violence demonstrates a troubling connection to politically driven extremism, particularly among the far-right Lazio supporters.
Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, condemned the attacks as shameful and unacceptable, asserting that the city cannot and should not be represented by such acts of violence that tarnish its image and the spirit of sportsmanship. He expressed hope that law enforcement's ongoing investigations would quickly bring those responsible to justice, reinforcing that the Italian capital does not deserve to be associated with such barbaric behavior.
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